NFU Cymru attended a European Union Sheep Reflection Group earlier this week, to discuss the future of sheepmeat at an EU level.
Representatives from all 28 present member states attended the meeting in Brussels, the first meeting since the UK's vote to leave the EU was announced.
Although all member states expressed their shock with the referendum result, they all stressed that they would continue to work with the UK going forward.
The Sheep Reflection Group was formed to discuss the challenges and opportunities the EU sheepmeat industry faces and determine how major organisations and nations within the EU with a common interest in the sheep industry can work together to secure a sustainable future.
Following the meeting, NFU Deputy President, John Davies said: "The UK produces 39% of the EU's total sheepmeat production, therefore are a key player in that market and one of the sectors that could be most affected when the UK officially leaves the EU.
"It is now vitally important that trade negotiations get underway at the earliest opportunity, to ensure that when the UK officially leaves the EU we will be able to maintain the best possible access to the EU and to countries across the world.
"Welsh sheep farmers are particularly reliant on export markets and we will be looking to the UK Government to prioritise the negotiation of favourable trade agreements.
"At present, the EU holds 11 Free Trade Agreements with countries across the world, five more have been concluded and there are a further 14 agreements currently under discussion.
"The UK must now aim to set up a similar number of agreements to ensure that we can export our goods to as many countries as possible.
"However, it is essential that decision makers do not undermine domestic agriculture by opening the UK market to goods which do not meet our own high standards of production."
